On Behalf Of The Stockholders

Dear Editor,

I’m writing THE WAVE again at the request of many Shareholders, requesting that I respond definitively to the attacks launched in the July 29, 2011 edition of your paper by Ms. Lucie Limongelli and Ms. Joanne Smith, the former President of the Board of Directors of Dayton Beach Park, and the organizer of what is billed as “rallies” but in fact are harassing, hateful disturbances designed to terrorize Dayton Beach residents. To get the full view of what they consider “peaceful,” please view online video footage of me leaving the parking lots on You Tube.

I am telling you of this You Tube link so you and your readers see the full extent of our struggle to save Dayton Beach Park. Although I am often personally attacked, I’m unafraid and determined because I know that the work we’ve done to make Dayton Beach a safer, financially sound place to live is more important. It is a fact; most Dayton Beach residents are working people or retired. We are not rich, we do not live in Park Avenue luxury. It is also a fact; over the past decade, Dayton Beach residents have paid six maintenance increases totaling more than 50% compounded. And it’s a fact; the cause of these maintenance increases was the incompetence and selfishness of the past Board Members. One group mortgaged the buildings for $37,000,000, the other group (led by Ms. Smith as President) racked up millions in debts leaving the buildings in disrepair. BOTH groups have been running Dayton Beach Park as Board Members in excess of 25 years. More than two thirds of the time that I have been alive.

I know I speak for many Dayton Beach residents when I state we would like for the staff to return and our cooperative to be in a position to give our staff a 10% raise in salary and 20% raise in benefits. Unfortunately, we are not. Giving in to the union’s demands means yet another maintenance increase for Dayton Beach Shareholders. I will not support a new maintenance increase in any form, especially for reasons that could be avoided through compromise. Ms. Smith, Ms. Limongelli and others feel that using this strike to cause chaos for the residents and the workers is their pathway back to control Dayton Beach’s Board and its money. They believe their harassment, threats and intimidation will work.

They can think again.

Whether the petitions they claim have 200 or 500 or 5,000 signatures calling for my removal on them, wrong is still WRONG. A new increase on working class residents who’ve been already hit with six maintenance increases back to back is wrong. Campaigning to stop the repairs and improvements to the buildings so that a large and powerful union can get millions more at the expense of Dayton Beach residents is wrong. Insulting the residents who gave their lives building up Dayton Beach, by stating “rent is going up anyway, so you should pay more now” is wrong, too. The evidence of who I am and the work of the current Board is all over Dayton Beach Park. It’s in five new roofs, a renovated Building 8400, fifteen remodeled elevators (inside and out), sixty-five renovated hallways, five new laundry rooms, new playgrounds, parking lots and many other improvements all done in three years all within or under budget. The work and where the Dayton Beach residents’money is going is clear. It speaks for itself.

I don’t have to continue to defend myself against my detractors who won’t consider the improvements and the good change in Dayton Beach because of something I cannot control; it’s a part of who I am and I will always be proud. But, I will defend Dayton Beach Park. Every time.